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Wi-owner

The human rights group Jamaicans for Justice (JFJ) is adding its voice to other groups expressing concerns over the rising number of casualties and persons being detained in the ongoing operations in Tivoli Gardens. At the start of the operations on Monday several groups, including the JFJ expressed their support for the security forces saying the operation was necessary to restore law and order.

However, JFJ spokesperson Susan Goffe told the Gleaner/Power 106 News Centre a short while ago that this outpouring of support should not be used as an excuse for the wanton extra-judicial killing of Jamaican citizens.

Miss Goffe says the JFJ is worried that these extra-judicial killings are taking place and wants to see an immediate return to the rule of law.

Miss Goffe says the JFJ is beginning to get reports from relatives of some of the civilians killed in the operation and will be launching its own investigations.

Meanwhile, the National Democratic Movement (NDM) says the operations in Tivoli Gardens appears to be turning into a massacre and also wants a thorough investigation.

The NDM says while it recognises that there are dangerous criminal elements in West Kingston and other garrison communities, the operations may have been poorly executed.

In a statement this morning, the Party said the country is now faced with the horror of multiple loss of innocent lives and an embarrassing failure as only four weapons were recovered in a neighbouring community.